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Researchers examined data from a series of national health surveys and found that the blood pressure control rate in the U.S. has increased to 50% in the last few years. However, the data also revealed that the number of Americans with hypertension has not declined in recent years and stands at about 29% of the population, the researchers said.

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Researchers examined data from a series of national health surveys and found that the blood pressure control rate in the U.S. has increased to 50% in the last few years. However, the data also revealed that the number of Americans with hypertension has not declined in recent years and stands at about 29% of the population, the researchers said.

CMS has devised a proposal to simplify the process for authorizing hospitals to offer telemedicine services. The proposed rule, which is set to be published today, seeks "to eliminate ... regulatory impediments and allow for the advancement of telemedicine nationwide while still protecting the health and safety of patients."

Overworked primary care physicians are trading their solo practices for group and hospital positions or adopting models that allow them to limit patient volume. They say the trade-off is seeing fewer patients but spending more time with those they do care for, resulting in a manageable professional and personal balance.

A Health IT Policy Committee work group is proposing to require providers to encrypt patient data, even in a direct health information exchange. Strong security policies, such as encryption requirements, would eliminate the need for "any additional individual consent beyond what is already required by current law," a panel co-chairman said.

Southeastern Pennsylvania hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and other health care providers hope to reduce hospital readmission rates by 10% over 18 months through the "Preventing Avoidable Episodes Project." The initiative will include three work groups that will study the issue and recommend strategies for reducing readmissions and health care costs.